First C-Kermit Release in 15 Years Marks 45th Anniversary of Kermit Protocol

Kermit Protocol's Origins

The Kermit protocol was developed in 1981 by Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings at Columbia University to address interoperability issues between different computer systems, such as DEC-20 and IBM mainframes. Its initial design prioritized adaptability, allowing it to handle small data packets, transfer 8-bit files over 7-bit links, and translate between character sets like ASCII and EBCDIC, as well as various Unicode encodings. This flexibility also extended to managing error-prone serial connections.

Evolution of C-Kermit

Kermit quickly expanded, with ports to MS-DOS and Unix by 1982. C-Kermit, a C-language implementation, became the primary version. Over time, it incorporated TCP support, an interactive command-line interface, and a scripting language. Modern optimizations for high-speed links, such as jumbo packets, sliding windows, and streaming modes, were also added. Kermit has been used in diverse applications, including on the International Space Station, for hurricane data collection, and in manufacturing processes like Boeing 787 production.

Contemporary Applications

Today, Kermit continues to be utilized for tasks such as SSH wrapping for multi-hop file transfers, as a BBS client, and for data exchange with devices like the HP 48GX calculator. It also facilitates firmware updates for embedded devices. Its robust nature makes it a tool for those working with vintage computing systems. The new C-Kermit 11 release includes a 'show interfaces' command to display local IP addresses, aiding TCP connections over local area networks.

Funding and Accessibility

For much of its history, the Columbia University Kermit project was self-funded, relying on commercial licensing fees. This funding model historically limited its inclusion in Linux distributions. The project's funding structure changed in 2011, 30 years after its inception.